Admission
Application Procedures
Transportation and Parking
Process of Gaining Competency
Graduation Requirements
Early Release Requirements
 
Admission  

 

**If you are applying to the program as a Baccalaureate of Science in Radiologic Technology student, please see your school's Academic Advisor.

The following information is for those applying as a community student (non-degree)


The preferred candidate will have had at least a 2.5 GPA in High school and college (see below for required classes). Also, a strong work history with direct patient care is desirable.

CSM has a competitive admission procedure.The CSM School of Radiologic Technology uses a points system to qualify prospective students, based on recent high school and college grades, hospital or patient care experience, and interviewing.

Understanding there is a high volume of applicants and limited positions we encourage candidates to research and apply to several of the radiology programs in the greater Milwaukee area.

Radiology Prerequisite Classes:

At least 15 credit hours of post secondary education completed with a grade of "C" or better in the last five years. Required classes must be completed, elective class selection can be chosen by the applicant in any of the categories listed.

Required Classes:

Minimum 9 credits

Elective Class Categories:

Minimum 6 credits

  • 3 Credit Math (College Algebra or higher)
  • 3 Credit Communications (College level Written or Oral Communication)
  • 3 Credit Anatomy and Physiology
  • Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
  • Written/Oral Communication
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Information Systems - Courses strongly suggested: Problem solving with computers/computer use
  • Social/behavioral sciences - Courses strongly suggested: Psychology/sociology
  • Natural Sciences - Courses strongly suggested: Chemistry/biology/medical terminology

These 15 credits MUST be completed prior to application.

Radiology is physically demanding. The following attributes are essential for applicants:

Preliminary Requirements:
•  Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
•  Must be able to reach 72 inches from the floor.
•  Must be able to hear patient alarm systems.
•  Must have the visual acuity to adjust CRT monitor, as well as visualize facial expressions in low lighting situations

After review of the preliminary application, an interview will be scheduled for those applicants receiving the highest point score. Interviews for the program will be held during the months of March and April. Applicants are required to:

  • Job Shadow with a registered technologist in a hospital environment for a minimum of four hours. Documentation for this experience is required and should be submitted with other application materials. Job Shadow appointments must be scheduled before February 15th of the spring prior to interviews. It is strongly recommended to complete the job shadow experience at a Columbia-St. Mary's facility.
  • Meet all admission standards.
  • Attend an open information session offered by the school, qualified candidates will receive an invitation.

Following the interview process, preliminary candidates will be selected and admitted to the School of Radiologic Technology after they have:

  1. Received an acceptable finding from a criminal background check required for all caregivers according to Wisconsin State Law.
  2. Passed a health assessment and physical screening provided by the CSM Occupational Health Department. This includes a drug screening as well as proof of updated vaccinations.
  3. Submitted a school entrance fee of $500. These monies will hold the candidates placement in the class. The fee will be applied toward tuition when class begins. Should the candidate choose to relinquish their position, the entrance fee is non-refundable.
 

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Application Procedures  

 

Please click Informational Brochure (Please click here) for the Application Information Packet.

To begin the application process to the CSM School of Radiologic Technology, the following steps should be followed.

  1. Complete the application for admission. There is a four page application included in this website. Click here to get a PDF copy of the application.
  2. Enclose a letter describing why you are interested in the field of Radiography and a brief autobiography of your life after high school.
  3. Enclose $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
  4. Ensure items listed in the Admissions section are complete.
  5. Have the following documents forwarded to the school:

•  Completed Application
•  Job Shadow Form. Click here to get a PDF copy of the Job Shadow Form.
•  Two current, dated letters of reference. One should be an academic reference and the other an employment reference.
•  Certified high school transcript.
•  Certified college transcripts, if applicable.

    

*Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view the document. Acrobat Reader is free software that you can download by clicking on the icon to the right.

 

All documents must be received by February 15 th to be eligible for the classes beginning in September of the same year.

Mail all correspondence to:
Columbia College of Nursing
Attn: CSM School of Radiologic Technology
4425 N. Port Washington Rd.
Glendale , WI . 53212

Transportation and Parking  


The CSM hospital system is always growing. Therefore, parking is not ample, and we must keep spots available for patients and their visitors. The following are lists are clinical rotations for students and parking restrictions for each site:

•  Columbia Hospital - NO PARKING is permitted in the structure. Off campus parking is challenging, as cars are monitored every two hours. The opportunity for students to leave the clinical site and move their car is not practical.

•  St. Mary's Milwaukee - Parking is permitted in the structure.

•  St. Mary's Ozaukee - parking is available on site in the BLUE LOT ONLY. This is the lot on the south side of the campus. Parking at St. Mary's Ozaukee is free.

•  Children's Hospital - parking in the structure or on the grounds is permitted.

CSM and the School of Radiology realize this poses a problem. Therefore, for students and employees alike, there is a shuttle service that runs from the Riverwoods Urgent Care/Outpatient Center (off of Port Washington Road) to the Columbia and St. Mary's Milwaukee Campuses.

Process of Gaining Competency  


The main objective is for students to learn how to safely and effectively use ionizing radiation to obtain quality images of body parts for diagnosis. Using a chest x-ray as an example, the process goes something like this:

•  In class, the student will learn all pertinent information about the thorax. This includes detailed information of anatomy, physiology, pathology, technical and positioning factors, medical history, and required criteria for a chest x-ray.

•  The same day, the student will rotate to the clinical site and observe registered technologists as they perform these exams on patients.

•  A positioning lab is held in the clinical site. This lab demonstrates the process of a chest x-ray exam from beginning to end. In positioning lab, students practice on each other under the observation of the clinical instructor.•  This is simulation only. At no time are students to dispense ionizing radiation on each other at any point, under any circumstances. Any student taking x-rays of any person without supervision and a physician's order will be immediately terminated from the program. There are no exceptions .

•  As the student becomes more comfortable, they begin practicing on actual patients under the direct supervision of a registered tech. When the student is comfortable, they will 'test out' on the chest x-ray to demonstrate their competency level. We call this comping. The student will perform every aspect of that exam and be graded by the technologist. If they are successful, the student may take chest x-ray exams but still always under direct supervision .

•  The final step is a film evaluation. The student and the clinical instructor review the images and all the information in step one is reviewed. Once the student demonstrates adequate knowledge of all aspects of the exam, they earn competency and may perform the exam independently with indirect supervision.

* Direct Supervision: Under no circumstances will a student position or expose a patient without a registered technologist immediately present.  

*Indirect Supervision: Students may perform exams independently in the department when registered technologists within close proximity.

Graduation Requirements  


The SORT program is competency based. Before qualifying to take the ARRT Registry Examination, students must

  • Complete 54 mandatory competencies
  • Complete 17 elective competencies
  • Document 6 mandatory clinical skills - venipuncture, vital signs, etc.
  • Maintain an academic GPA of 80% or better
  • Maintain a clinical GPA of 90% or better
  • Complete 10 terminal competencies
  • Acceptance from the ARRT application to take the registry exam
  • Continually demonstrate professionalism, respect, all CSM core values and SORT Mission and Philosophy statements
  • All clinical time completed
  • All financial requirements met

 

Early Release Requirements  


CSM offers early release to students who have achieved and maintained an honorable academic and clinical standing! Qualified students may release up to six weeks early.

The guidelines include but may not be limited to:

•  Cumulative Academic GPA of 94%
•  Cumulative Clinical GPA of 94%
•  Successfully passed the proficiency exams
•  Never been on disciplinary or academic probation
•  Not have any make up hours that need to be resolved, good attendance
•  Consistently demonstrated sound moral values to patients, peers, staff and the rest of the health care community.
•  Submit your request to early release in writing

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Last Updated January, 2007

4425 North Port Washington Rd. | Glendale | WI | 53212
Phone 414-326-2338 | Fax 414-326-2331